[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 18, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E67]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            ATTACKS IN EGYPT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 18, 2011

  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my deepest condolences 
to the families and communities of the Egyptians who lost their lives 
in the recent New Year's bomb attack. The horror of this tragedy 
continues to reverberate across the world--a tragedy in which those 
peacefully practicing their faith were attacked and brutally murdered.
  The Government of Egypt has a responsibility to protect all its 
citizens. Sadly, it has not done that. Over the last decade, there has 
been a disturbing pattern of the Government allowing, condoning, or 
responding with apathy to attacks against Christians in Egypt. There is 
simply no excuse for the lack of protection in this recent attack, last 
year's Christmas attack, and any other attacks against the Christian 
community or their places of worship and service.
  When will the Egyptian Government wake up to its duty to protect its 
citizens?
  Until Egypt is a free country where all Egyptians are able to 
peacefully practice their faith without fear or restriction, none of 
Egypt is truly free. Those in the government who would support the 
extremists who engage in these attacks are the ones who undermine 
democracy, freedom, and stability for the Egyptian people.
  Again, governments do not need to take overt action for 
discrimination or persecution to occur. Denial of justice occurs by 
governments when the governments themselves, though not directly 
involved in persecution, indirectly encourage it by their statements, 
actions and subsequent policies. Instead, they look the other way when 
injustice happens. A prime example of this is the 1998 Al-Kosheh case 
in which the government exonerated individuals charged with 
persecuting, arresting, and torturing over 1,000 Coptic Christians, and 
even gave job promotions to the state security officials responsible 
for the persecution. That is not protection of citizens and that is not 
justice.
  I call on the Egyptian Government to ensure that the perpetrators of 
this heinous crime against the Copts, and ultimately against the people 
of Egypt, are brought to justice.
  To the Coptic community, please know that our hearts and prayers go 
out to you in this time of grief and loss. We stand with you.

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